Once a proud guidebook company for backpackers, in recent years footprint has graduated to providing offering for a more refined palate. This short guide to the Loire region is concise, budget concious, but still informative and interesting. The best of both worlds?
A new guide to the mountains. Footprint includes detailed recommended itineraries, hotels, restaurants and practical transport tips for reaching each island.
A thorough guide to the region with detailed advice on activities and sights in each neighbourhood, as well as a little historical context. It includes a basic map with transport links.
The most comprehensive and reliable guide to getting around Switzerland by bus, boat and train. Also includes excellent cultural and historical background information.
The Michelin Red Guide is the definitive hotel and restuaraunt guide to France. Updated each year and with considerable practical benefits, it deserves its 'essential' reputation. The listings are symbol-based with short and helpful descriptions in English.
A strong practical-minded budget guide with exhaustive listings of accommodation, restaurants, bars, sights and so on. Rather rudimentary when it comes to historical and cultural context.
Each region, arranged alphabetically, is introduced and covered, with major sights highlighted and local hotels and restaurants suggested and rated according to cost. Good opening chapters provide background reading. Best for a tour by car.
A practical guide to the highlights of the country, best for a budget visit. It's full of photographs with good introductory chapters too, plus a handy pull-out map.
Sawday picks the very best places to stay in France. Includes wide price and destination ranges, making it a useful reference for all visitors to France.
To eat well in Paris, simply pop this little gem in your pocket. Divided by region and written by experts it really reflects the diversity on offer. A detailed, passionate and trustworthy guide.
A self-consciously hip version of the LP 'Best Of' for visitors who don't mind the tone of their trip being dictated to them. The pull-out map is better however, not least because it can be removed.
An up-to-date guide featuring a pull-out map, a good range of accommodation and a selection of black and white photographs. The writing is thoughtful and engaging. Basic city maps throughout.
Michelin are hard to beat on home turf. This excellent, colourful general guide, arranged by region, primarily covers sightseeing, with lists of recommended hotels and restaurants included at the back.
A regularly-updated guide for a comfortable tour. Michelin are best on hotels and restaurants but provide ample context to back it up. Regions are arranged alphabetically. Maps are excellent as one would expect.